By Pepper Fisher

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK – What do you think about air tours over Olympic National Park? It doesn’t happen every day. In 2017 through 2019 there were on average 64 air tours per year reported at the Park.

Now, the National Park Service (NPS) and the FAA are seeking public feedback on a draft Air Tour Management Plan proposed for Olympic National Park.

Like them? Hate them? Anyone with an interest in or concern about commercial air tours over ONP can review and comment on the draft plan (here).

The proposed plan would authorize up to 64 air tours per year on a defined route. The plan does not cover military overflights, which happen regularly.

Only one company currently holds a license from the FAA to conduct tours, Rite Brothers Aviation, flying out of Fairchild Airport in Port Angeles. It’s their reported average over the years that established the proposed 64 tours per year.

The Park Service and FAA will host a virtual public meeting on the plan on Wednesday, August 25 from 5:30-7:00, at https://youtu.be/lSW9867qHiA.

Members of the public who wish to observe the virtual meetings can also access the livestream from the following FAA social media platforms on the day of the event: https://www.facebook.com/FAA, https://twitter.com/FAANews or https://www.youtube.com/FAAnews.

Public feedback can be provided through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website from July 29, 2021 through August 28, 2021. The NPS and FAA will consider comments to help inform the final ATMP for Olympic National Park. The project website is available at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/OlympicATMP.

(ONP photo)